The 25th Annual
Governor's Surf Fishing Tournament was held Sunday, May 15 at
Island Beach State Park (IBSP). A west wind kept it chilly but
bluefish blitzes made for a great day of fishing for
approximately 600 registered participants. On the beach anglers
were busy catching a lot of fish with 245 fish entered into the
bluefish category and three fish entered into the striped bass
category.

Dakota Hahn of
Toms River took the grand prize and New Jersey Governor's Cup by
catching a 43.5-inch striped bass. Mr. Hahn received two
rod-and-reel combinations, one of which was a 2016 TICA rod; a
pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses; a plaque; and will have his
name engraved on the Governor's Cup, which is permanently on
display at the park.

The New Jersey
Beach Buggy Association (NJBBA) also took the time to recognize
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
Compliance and Enforcement Assistant Commissioner Ray Bukowski,
who had previously been the manager at IBSP. NJBBA recognized
his support and hard work in restoring IBSP after Superstorm
Sandy. Ray was awarded with a plaque and Honorary NJBBA Lifetime
Member.

The event is sponsored by the NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Division of Parks and Forestry, the New Jersey State Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs, the Jersey Coast Anglers Association, and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association.

Along with the tournament prizes offered, the registration forms of pre-registrants and same-day entrants are placed into special drawings for additional prizes.

To date, the tournament has raised more than $130,000 for conservation projects and improved beach access. Funds have been used for the purchase of specialized beach wheel chairs that provide beach access for the disabled and elderly at IBSP; educational displays in the Interpretive Center at IBSP; a beach access ramp connecting parking area A7 to the beach at IBSP; an automatic heart defibrillator unit for IBSP; two mobile fishing equipment trailers with rods and reels for use in fishing education programs throughout the state; and educational materials/field study equipment for various environmental education programs.

Overall fish length determined the grand prize winner, as well as place winners for each of the species categories.
This past year there were winning fish tied in length in two categories; tournament rules dictate that the first-caught and checked-in fish places higher. There were categories for children, teen and adult anglers, including sub-categories for male and female anglers.